Cruz Caged: 46 Months for Guns, Drugs & Felon Status

PITTSBURGH, PA – Felix Cruz, 50, formerly of Houston, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison after a damning federal case exposed his illegal cache of firearms, ammunition, and dangerous synthetic drugs. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced the sentencing today, a victory in a case highlighting the ongoing threat posed by repeat offenders.

Cruz was sentenced by United States District Judge Gustave Diamond to 46 months incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. The charges stem from a November 8, 2011 incident where authorities discovered Cruz, a convicted felon, in possession of a deadly arsenal at his Washington County place of employment. That arsenal included a pistol, two semi-automatic rifles outfitted with high-capacity magazines, an additional rifle, and a shotgun, all accompanied by a staggering 1,290 rounds of ammunition.

The feds weren’t buying his story. Cruz was already legally barred from owning any firearms due to a prior felony conviction in New York for criminal possession of a loaded firearm. The investigation further revealed that some of these weapons weren’t obtained legally by Cruz himself, but were illegally “straw purchased” by accomplices who passed background checks on his behalf. Those straw purchasers have already faced prosecution for their role in the scheme, adding another layer to this complex case.

But the firearms weren’t the only illegal items stashed at Cruz’s workplace. Investigators also discovered several vials containing AM-2201, a particularly potent and dangerous synthetic cannabinoid. AM-2201 is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance due to its severe health risks, especially among young people. Cruz wasn’t just hoarding the drugs; he was actively distributing them, peddling what’s commonly known as “K2” or “spice” alongside his illegal firearms.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller spearheaded the prosecution, building a solid case based on evidence gathered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was brought under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a multi-agency initiative designed to aggressively combat gun violence at the federal, state, and local levels.

This sentencing sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms and traffic dangerous drugs, especially repeat offenders, will face the full force of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to keep Pennsylvania communities safe from individuals like Felix Cruz.